UGA and high school students take top prizes in State Botanical Garden of Georgia’s annual student art contest

Two University of Georgia students and one Locust Grove High School student were chosen as the top three winners in the annual student art contest held by the State Botanical Garden of Georgia, a unit of UGA Public Service and Outreach.Nine works of art, ranging in media from digital illustration to photography, received certificates of merit.  

In December, a panel of judges selected the winners and certificate of merit recipients from about 90 entries. Georgia students ninth grade and above are eligible to enter the contest and may use any media of their choice to represent the garden.

The art contest, funded by the J.A. and H.G. Woodruff, Jr. Charitable Trust, was established in 2005 by donor Tom Woodruff in honor of his parents. Winning artwork may be used to create signature items in the garden’s gift shop or in printed garden materials. First, second and third place winners received $1,000, $500 and $250 respectively. 

Congratulations to the winning artists.

First Place winner:

“At the Botans”

Mikaila Guerra of Kathleen, Georgia

made with permanent markers

Mikaila attends the University of Georgia.

"At the Botans"

Second Place winner:

“Costa Rica Plant”

Benjamin Thrash of Athens, Georgia

made with watercolor and gouache

Benjamin attends the University of Georgia.

"Costa Rica Plant"

"Blue Elegance"

Third Place winner:

“Blue Elegance”

Tania Sturm of McDonough, Georgia

made with watercolor and colored pencils

Tania attends Locust Grove High School.

Certificates of Merit (alphabetical by artist):

“Beauty’s Flower in Beast Rose” by Bethany Kalin Felix of Locust Grove, Georgia; made with watercolor

Bethany attends Locust Grove High School.

“Flower and Flutter” by Nicolette Kubea of Athens, Georgia; made with watercolor

Nicolette attends the University of Georgia.

“Veins” by Sara Horvath of Roswell, Georgia; digital photography

Sarah attends the University of Georgia.

“Vida (of Life)” by Maya Lightner of Locust Grove, Georgia; digital illustration

Maya attends Locust Grove High School.

“Georgia in Bloom” by Erin Jones of Athens, Georgia; made with colored pencils

Erin attends the University of Georgia.

“Hydrangeas in a Jar” by Jordan LaGrow of Locust Grove, Georgia; made with watercolor

Jordan attends Locust Grove High School.

“Tear Drop” by Taylor Phinney of Hampton, Georgia; digital photography

Taylor attends Locust Grove High School.

“Georgia on My Mind” by Casey Semple of Athens, Georgia; made with ink

Casey attends Athens Technical College.

“The White Trail” by Sara Sturges of Watkinsville, Georgia; digital illustration

Sara attends the University of Georgia.